Dr. Malcolm Reid Chitty

Born October 5th, 1934 in Murfreesboro, N.C., he was the youngest of seven children born to the late Ola Aubrey and Eva Boyette Chitty. In addition to his parents, Malcolm is pre-deceased by his grandsons Aubrey and Railey Pitts, sisters Ola A. Duncan and Bettie Chappell, and his two brothers Redmond and Charles Chitty.

Malcolm is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Naomi Jane Railey Chitty, daughters Catherine Jane Chitty Pike and her husband Joseph of New Bern, Caroline Susan Chitty Pitts and her husband Douglas of Glen Alpine, and by his son Malcolm Reid Chitty, Jr. and his wife, Lisa of New Bern. Malcolm is also survived by his five grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Chitty, Malcolm Reid Chitty, III, Jane Street Simmons, Railey Eva-Donnie Pitts and Aaron Aubrey Pitts. Malcolm is also survived by his sisters Frances Hinnant of Durham, Parthenia Gurganious of Bel Air, MD and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Malcolm was a graduate of Murfreesboro High School. He completed his pre-optometric education at Duke University and graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN in 1958 with a B.S. and Doctor of Optometry degrees.

Dr. Chitty served his country in the United States Air Force 1958-1961 as a commissioned officer and as the optometrist in charge of the Eye Clinic of Olmstead Air Force Base, Middletown, PA. While in the Air Force he was instrumental in formulating the visual requirements for the Pennsylvania DMV. After his honorable discharge in 1961 he began a private Optometric practice in New Bern, NC, and he and his wife Jane, built it into one of the ten largest optometric practices in North Carolina.

Among Malcolm's achievements and honors were membership in the Beta Club, Sigma Alpha Sigma Academic Honor Society, Beta Sigma Kappa Academic Honor Society, Theta Chi Fraternity, and the Omega Delta Fraternity. He was honored to be an Eagle Scout, and 1995 Layman of the Year at First Baptist Church.

Malcolm was very involved in civic and church activities. He was a director of the New Bern Civitan Club, and a member of the Rotary Club, the Craven County Board of Health for 9 years, the Coastal District Optometric Society, the NC Optometric Society, and the American Optometric Society. He served his church in many capacities including chairman of the Board of Deacons, and teacher of high school Sunday School classes for 21 years. He was a proud member of the Baracca Sunday School class and at one time or another a member and often chairman of almost every standing committee of First Baptist Church, as well as having served on three pastor search committees. Malcolm and his wife Jane were long time active members of the New Bern Historical Society.

Malcolm enjoyed cheering for the Duke Blue Devils, going to yard sales, ringing bells for the Salvation Army and learning about the history of Eastern North Carolina. Mentoring others was his natural gift. His greatest love was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Malcolm was a man of great Faith, unconditional love, kindness, compassion, humility and humor. To gain insight into Malcolm's core, read “If” by Rudyard Kipling.

Malcolm's funeral service will be held at 11am on Saturday, August 29th, 2020 at Greenleaf Memorial Park, 900 River Road, New Bern, NC. The family will receive friends from 10am till 11am, just prior to the service. It will be officiated by Dr. Richard Seagle and Dr. Thomas Denton. Due to Covid restrictions, those in attendance will be asked to wear face masks and use social distancing. The service will be live streamed on the Cotten Funeral Home Facebook webpage. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1463, NB, NC 28563.